Twin Oaks Tribune
Volume 8, Issue 15
Global Studies Projects
On Wednesday I had a chance to get "back to my roots" as a social studies teacher as I joined a number of other folks to serve as a judge for the Global Studies website projects. I certainly enjoyed listening to the variety of projects that the students came up with and their varying levels of understanding of global, national and local implications with their topics. I also enjoyed having fun posing questions that hopefully got them thinking about other aspects of their chosen topic. Overall, it would be safe to say that in the 2nd year of the students doing this activity, the projects were much stronger.
Paraprofessional Week
ESTEM Day Plans well on track
Now that's what I call service!
Teachers of the Week
Vicky Hilzendeger
- Position: 7th grade math
- Number of Years in the district: 17
- Number of Years as an educator: 17
- Favorite Food: Thai
- Favorite TV Show: Any reality show (Big Brother, Bachelor, etc.) I know super educational!
- Favorite Activity to do with "Free Time": Sit on my front porch with a beverage and watch the kids run around the neighborhood with their buddies. Reminds me of what being a kid is all about.
- If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?: My husband. We met when we were 17 so we really have been through all of life's ups and downs together. There is no one else that can help me see the bigger picture when I am being overly emotional (which is often since I am orange).
- Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you'd know: I am very close with my very large and loud extended family. They helped me prepare my "teacher voice"!
- Anything else you'd like to share: I love my job! There is truly nothing else that I could see myself doing. I feel very lucky to have all of you as co-workers. Your the best!
Natalie Espe
- Position: 7th Grade & 10th Grade Social Studies
- Number of Years in the district: 5
- Number of Years as an educator: 8
- Favorite Food: Thai stir fry with lots of veggies
- Favorite TV Show: The Office or Arrested Development
- Favorite Activity to do with "Free Time": Doing yoga or running outside
- If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?: I would like to thank my mother for teaching me to always see the big picture and the bright side of life. My mother, a passionate optimist, has instilled virtues and skills in me that help to weather many challenges. Vital life skills!
- Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you'd know: I get all my lifestyle answers from Pinterest. I don't think I've ever used a cookbook!
- Anything else you would like to share: I feel so lucky to work in this community of wonderful students, families, and staff!
Dan Larkin
- Position: Teacher/6th Grade/Physical Education
- Number of Years in the district: 23
- Number of Years as an educator: 30
- Favorite Food: Italian
- Favorite TV Show: Sports
- Favorite Activity to do with "Free Time": Family
- If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?: My father. He taught me to always be prepared. Look people in the eye when addressing them. Strength is in your character. Trust is earned. How to throw, catch, and swing. And most important, how to correctly pour a beer.
- Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you'd know: I might be the oldest staff member in the building. Or I might not be?
Elizabeth Herzog
- Position: Evaluation Specialist/District-wide
- Number of Years in the district: 3
- Number of Years as an educator: 16
- Favorite Food: Pad Thai
- Favorite TV Show: So many...am currently enjoying Vikings on the History channel after my daughter's trip to Iceland spurred interest
- Favorite Activity to do with "Free Time": Read, read, read
- If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?: I would thank my maternal grandmother for keeping me grounded by tethering me so lovingly to the past
- Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you'd know: that I am extremely type A!
Erin Hester
- Position: Peer Coach/APHG/World History
- Number of Years in the district: 17
- Number of Years as an educator: 17
- Favorite Food: Ask me in a week when my cleanse is over and I'll say everything.
- Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
- Favorite Activity to do with "Free Time": Read, Play with my kids, Be outside
- If you were to tell one person "Thank You" for helping me become the person I am today, who would it be and what did they do?: My family for supporting, challenging, loving, and putting up with me everyday.
- Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you'd know: I'm pretty much an open book, but if I have to come up with something, dance parties are a must in my house.
- Anything else you would like to share: I am very lucky to work with such amazing people.
Quote of the Week
"A school does not become a learning community simply by advancing through the steps on a checklist, but rather by tapping into the wellsprings of emotions that lie with the professionals of that school. The professional learning community makes a conscious effort to bring those emotions to the surface and to express explicitly what often is left unsaid."
-PLC at Work, 1998
The Week Ahead
- Start of Quarter 3, Semester 2
- Grade Level Meetings, 2:15
Tuesday
- Parent Information Night for incoming Parents
- Laker Pride Day
- PBIS Celebrations During PT
- Learning Teams
- Middle School Musical Production , 3:15 PM, 7:00 PM
Friday
- Middle School Musical Production, 7:00 PM